The Un-Arranged Marriage

I get a lot of requests for diverse books, especially books featuring characters with disability. In fact, it was reader feedback that led to the creation of the Representation page (thanks readers!). However, I have struggled to keep the lists stocked with adult titles. Which is why I jumped at the opportunity to read Laura Brown’s latest adult romance, The Un-Arranged Marriage.

I enjoyed the hard of hearing and deaf representation in Brown’s prior books, so I had high expectations for this childhood-enemies-to-lovers story. I was not disappointed. The female lead, Shaina, is hard of hearing and this fact is an integral part of the plot. Her rivalry with Mark, the soft-spoken male lead, can be blamed on their parents overenthusiastic matchmaking, but the vehemence of Shaina’s dislike for him is due to Mark’s failure to take Shaina’s hearing loss into account when communicating with her. To earn Shaina’s trust, Mark must first prove himself willing and capable of making the necessary adjustments.

Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that one of the most touching moments in the books comes when Shaina shows extreme vulnerability by taking off her hearing aids in Mark’s presence and he reciprocates by cleaning them for her. These are the small details that show how much Brown has thought about this issue and what it means for interpersonal relationships.

In the words of the famous Jewish song Dayenu, if this were all the representation in the book, it would have been enough. However Brown has taken it one step further by including demisexual representation. It is rare to find any form of ace character in adult literature, yet alone one that identifies as demisexual. Which is why it was a pleasant surprise to discover that Mark has been out as a demisexual for years. Because when he feels attraction towards Shaina, it ratcheted up the stakes and narrative tension a thousand fold. I needed this couple to work out.

A common misconception is that demisexuals do not enjoy sex. In fact, this book bangs A LOT. Because Mark does enjoy sex, when he’s been given enough time to form a connection with his partner. His parents may never understand his sexuality, or even remember the word for it, but readers will. And demisexuals will see themselves in Mark’s extreme abhorrence for traditional dating. He still wants a life partner, but the process that works for everyone else is not going to work for him.

The book, which follows Mark and Shaina through two weddings, one of which is actually a wedding weekend that includes a cut throat competition, is a bit longer than I’m used to seeing in romance. I suspect this was a conscious choice, because in order for demisexual representation to be realistic the author must allow the couple to spend a significant amount of time together before feelings develop. In fact, the only complaint I had was that I could not fathom a world in which people are willing and able to take off an entire week for someone else’s destination wedding. Which basically means I’m an overworked grouch.

Readers have come to expect better diverse representation from childrens’ literature, but there have been less demands for it in the adult sphere. I’m glad to see Brown has risen to the challenge anyway. This novel tackles some serious issues while still being steamy and full of light moments. I hope more authors follow suite.

Note: I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher

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E Broderick is a writer and speculative fiction enthusiast. When not writing she enjoys epic games of trivial pursuit and baking. She currently lives in the U.S. but is eagerly awaiting the day a sentient spaceship offers to take her traveling around the galaxy.